You Count! Cine Youth Fest announced this year’s winners of the annual short film competition, focused on highlighting the work of young Latino filmmakers and creators. In addition to receiving cash prizes, the festival’s winning films achieved visibility on a large-scale platform through CineYouthFest.org and HITN GO, the application of the country’s main Spanish-language public television network.
The winning submissions spanned a wide range of categories, from documentaries on social issues, to mental health and well-being in Latino communities, to identity and cultural heritage in the digital age. Film festival organizers received hundreds of submissions from Latino creators across the country, selected 10 finalists, and awarded cash prizes to the winners in the following categories:
Best Overall Short Film: “Pick One” by Matthew Serrano
In “Pick One,” directed by Matthew Serrano, a first-generation Salvadoran-American filmmaker, a third-grade student, half Latino and half white, faces questions of identity when asked to choose an ethnicity as part of a standardized test.
Best animation: “Una China Poblana” by Aubrey Azmar and Benedict Vázquez
“Una China Poblana” directed by Aubrey Azmar, an Asian animator based in New York, documents the journey of Málaga, a Chinese-Filipino woman who lived in Mexico in the 1930s. The film follows her experiences from the perspective of her race, including a harsh and enslaved childhood, a relationship with her Mexican partner, Antonio, and her singing career.
Best Documentary Short Film: “Remember Me” by Aldo Merino
“Remember Me,” directed by Aldo Merino, a first-generation Mexican-American filmmaker originally from Brooklyn, features a filmmaker’s journey to visit his grandmother in Mexico and his exploration of Day of the Dead traditions. Through intimate and ancestral rituals, the film reflects on the cultural and spiritual meaning of memory.
Spotlight Award: “Chiquito” by Lesley Marroquin and Anna Riva
“Chiquito,” directed by Lesley Marroquin and Anna Riva, both recent graduates of the School of Visual Arts’ 3D Animation and Visual Effects program, follows an ambitious Salvadoran inventor, focused on developing a teleportation device. When he neglects his pet armadillo, Chiquito, he decides to take matters into his own hands.
“While Latinos continue to be underrepresented in the media, the stories presented each year at the festival are powerful, moving and deeply inspiring,” said Cynthia Rivera, co-director of ¡Tú Cuentas! Cinema Youth Fest. “As we conclude a successful fifth year, we continue to be amazed by the work these young filmmakers are creating and are honored by the opportunities we have to share their stories and talent with a broader audience.”
The film festival continues to champion Latino representation and visibility in the media. Research from the Latino Donor Collaborative shows that greater Latino inclusion in media could increase entertainment industry revenue by $12 to $18 billion annually.
Additionally, researchers have highlighted the scientific and psychological power of narrative to change mindsets and opinions by creating emotionally powerful connections. “During the festival, young filmmakers have the opportunity to share lived experiences and stories about what it really means to be Latino in today’s world,” Rivera said. “The narrative component is powerful, generates greater connection and empathy, and drives social justice and change.”
For more information about You Account! Cine Youth Fest, visit https://cineyouthfest.org/.
